Columbus Crew vs LAFC in the 2024 Leagues Cup Final

This Sunday night, all eyes are gonna be on Columbus, Ohio. And trust me, this isn’t just another soccer match. It’s the moment we find out who’s gonna rule the 2024 Leagues Cup and snag that VIP ticket to the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup. Will it be Columbus Crew or LAFC? If you think it’s just about a trophy, you’re missing the bigger picture. The battle at Lower.com Field is about way more than just lifting some silverware; it’s about staking your claim as the boss of soccer in the Americas.

Now, remember last year? Columbus Crew and LAFC squared off in the 2023 MLS Cup final, and the Crew walked away with the title. Sweet victory for Ohio fans, right? And now, they’re looking to send yet another message to the rest of the country: We’re the kings, and this is our kingdom. But LAFC? Oh, they’re thirsty for payback. Winning the Leagues Cup isn’t just a goal for them; it’s redemption. It’s their shot at wiping away the sting of that loss and finally putting an end to this nagging streak of defeats against the Crew.

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Under Wilfried Nancy’s leadership, Columbus Crew is absolutely riding high. Three finals in nine months—that’s no small feat, folks. Sure, they lost the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup to CF Pachuca, but even that defeat shows something. It proves this team isn’t afraid to go deep and compete at the top level. And with Diego Rossi racking up six goals and Cucho Hernández playing like he’s got the Midas touch—44 goal contributions in 42 games, which, let’s be honest, is just insane—the Crew is fired up to keep their home turf on lockdown. And let’s not forget, just six weeks ago, they gave LAFC a brutal 5-1 beatdown in Los Angeles.

On the flip side, you’ve got LAFC, and they’re no pushover. With Steve Cherundolo at the helm, these guys are scorching hot. Since May, they’ve racked up 18 wins, just one loss, and three draws. Their attack? A straight-up goal machine. They’ve netted 18 goals in this Leagues Cup alone. Denis Bouanga is tied with Rossi at the top of the scoring charts, also with six goals. And their defense? When you’ve got Hugo Lloris between the sticks, pulling off four clean sheets, you know things are serious. No wonder LAFC’s used to making finals—this’ll be their fourth since Cherundolo took over.

But if LAFC wants to walk away with the trophy, they’ve gotta shake off their Columbus Crew trauma. They couldn’t beat Ohio in the MLS Cup final, they got embarrassed at home just last month, and now they’re up against an even more pumped-up Crew squad on Columbus’ home turf.

If you’re one of those folks still sleeping on soccer in the U.S., it’s time to wake up. Teams like Columbus Crew and LAFC are rewriting the script, raising the stakes in competitions, drawing eyes from around the globe, and giving American fans a chance to watch some seriously high-level soccer. When you’ve got players like Diego Rossi, Cucho Hernández, and Denis Bouanga lighting up the field, it’s hard not to get hyped.

LAFC isn’t new to pressure-packed situations. They’ve got the talent, the experience, and the players who can flip a game in a heartbeat. But there’s one question hanging in the air: Can they get past the mental block Columbus seems to have over them? The memory of that MLS Cup loss and the recent drubbing might still be fresh in their minds, and that could mess with their game.

Besides the title, the winner of this match punches their ticket to the Round of 16 in the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup, which is the golden ticket to the coveted FIFA Club World Cup.